Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil combine perfectly to create my delicious bruschetta Caprese! With a mouthwatering balsamic glaze, this Caprese bruschetta dish will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
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An Italian classic, this bruschetta dish is perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks or as an appetizer for your next dinner party. It's so easy to make and absolutely delectable; bruschetta Caprese is the perfect dish to impress your guests with!
The combination of the crispy crostini and the creamy mozzarella is heavenly, and the balsamic glaze just knocks it out of the park. Plus, the tangy sweetness of the glaze pairs perfectly with the acidity of the tomatoes, which are both complemented by the fresh basil. This dish is truly a flavor explosion in your mouth!
What is Bruschetta Caprese?
Bruschetta is a popular Italian appetizer (antipasto) made with bread that has been grilled or baked and then rubbed with olive oil and sometimes garlic. Caprese is a simple salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Together, these two dishes create a bruschetta Caprese! This recipe can be ready in a flash and served as an appetizer, light lunch, or snack.
How Do You Pronounce Caprese?
I know, it's so easy to just read Caprese as 'ca-prey-zee.' But the correct pronunciation is actually 'ca-PREH-zeh' - with an emphasis on the second syllable. As for bruschetta, it is pronouced 'broo-SHEH-tah'.
Now you know how to correctly pronounce Caprese bruschetta, let's get to the recipe!
Why You'll Love Bruschetta Caprese
- Can use homegrown produce. One of the best things about this dish is that you can use homegrown tomatoes and basil if you have them! Nothing tastes better than fresh produce from your own backyard.
- Perfect for using up stale bread. This is an excellent recipe for using up stale bread. If your bread is a little bit dry, that's okay, as we will drizzle it with olive oil and grill or bake it anyways.
- Tantalizingly easy to make. Bruschetta Caprese only requires a few simple ingredients and can be put together in no time at all. It's the perfect dish for when you're short on time but still want to impress!
Ingredients for Caprese Bruschetta
- Italian bread
- Olive oil
- Tomatoes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Mozzarella
- Basil
- Balsamic glaze
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions for Bruschetta Caprese
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Slice the bread and place on a sheet tray.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Toast for 10-15 minutes, or until light golden brown.
- While the crostini cool, dice tomatoes and toss with salt and pepper.
- Top each crostini with tomatoes, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and basil.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
You can certainly prep the ingredients to make this dish ahead of time! Chop your mozzarella, slice and toast your bread and toss the tomatoes in salt and pepper - but I do not recommend plating everything up until you're ready to serve.
The tomatoes will release their juices and make the crostini soggy. Also, the basil might start to brown depending on how fresh it is. So while you can prep everything in advance (up to 1 day), I recommend waiting to assemble it until just before serving.
No, you don't have to use Italian bread. If you are in a pinch, any type of bread will do. Toasted french baguettes, sourdough, and even a bagel will work! Just make sure it is not sliced too thick so it can crisp nicely when baked.
When you're next at the store, you might notice both balsamic glaze and balsamic vinegar for sale. Balsamic glaze is balsamic vinegar that has been cooked down until it is thick and syrupy. It has a deep, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with bruschetta Caprese.
Balsamic vinegar is a great cupboard staple to have on hand, but it is not the same as a balsamic glaze. It is much more tart and has a thinner consistency. So, if you have a choice, always use balsamic glaze when making this recipe.
Dried herbs are so versatile and can add excellent flavor to many recipes. But when making a Caprese salad or Caprese bruschetta, always use fresh basil. The taste is just incomparable and really makes this dish shine!
If you don't have any fresh basil on hand and are interested in learning how to grow your own herbs - be sure to check out my guide all about herbs! Then you will never be without fresh basil (or any other herb) again.
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Bruschetta Caprese
Equipment
- Kitchen Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 loaf italian bread (sliced)
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 3 medium tomatoes (diced)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 16 slices mozzarella (fresh)
- 16 basil leaves (fresh)
- ½ cup balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Slice the bread and place on a sheet tray.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Toast for 10-15 minutes, or until light golden brown.
- While the crostini cool, dice tomatoes and toss with salt and pepper.
- Top each crostini with tomatoes, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and basil.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Alli
One of my favorites!